Highly rated Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup racer Charlie Robertson is little more than a week away from potentially wrapping-up his second car racing title in three years, with the eagerly-awaited 2014 finale set to take place on 11th/12th October at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.
As the standout performer in his maiden season in the key British Touring Car Championship support category, impressive Whyteleafe driver Charlie has put together a sensational campaign with seven victories and 10 other podium finishes up to now.
Having attained yet more silverware during last weekend’s double-header at Silverstone National Circuit, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star goes into the triple-header finale at Brands Hatch – his local track – next weekend with a 34 point advantage on ‘drop scores’.
Under championship rules for the Ginetta GT4 SuperCup, each driver has to deduct their two worst scores before determining their actual season total. With that in mind, the HHC Motorsport racer is in the odd position of a consistent year not actually working in his favour as, on gross scores, he is an additional 22 points clear of chief rival and former champion Carl Breeze.
“We’ve obviously got a good lead on drop scores going into Brands but that could easily disappear with one bad result or something out of our control happening, we’ve got to maintain our focus like we have all year and do the very best job we can”, said the Investigo and Blackstar-backed racer.
“It’d be a dream result to win the championship at my home track, especially as we’ll have a lot of guests there and a lot of friends and family giving me support. If we can do what we have been all year, scoring well and keeping out of trouble in the races, then hopefully things will work out as planned. It’s going to be a huge weekend – I really can’t wait to get out there!”
As ever, qualifying will be a key aspect of the weekend to try and remain out of the mid-pack battles and rack-up as many points as possible at the front of the field. All year Charlie has been able to deliver the goods in both qualifying and the races and, with just three encounters now standing between the Scottish youngster and the GT4 SuperCup title, the anticipation is building.
While the most pleasing outcome for the 17-year-old would be to take pole position and convert that into a lights-to-flag race victory in round 25 before repeating that result in round 26, Charlie has proven time and again he isn’t afraid to attack and carve open opportunities – as was the case last time out at Silverstone when he twice unseated Breeze for a podium finish with superb overtaking.
“I had to make a bit of a statement at Silverstone and show I wasn’t just going to try and collect points, I’m determined to fight for the championship and that’s what we did”, said the MSA Academy youngster, “There are so many things that can happen next weekend so nothing can be taken for granted. Yes, we’ve got a good lead going into the final rounds, but we’re not complacent.”
Following the usual pair of pre-event free practice sessions next Friday, 10th October, qualifying at Brands Hatch will get underway at 09.00 on Saturday, 11th October, with round 25 following at 15.00 and round 26 scheduled to start at 17.30.
